Dear Editor:

I am supporting Ouray County Ballot issue 1A, which provides for dedicated, permanent and secure funding for Ouray County Public Health Services. Currently, almost half (46%) of our public health revenues come from state grants, and state revenues are not secure. For instance, Ouray County had a significant grant for mental health from 2017–2019 (over $100,000) which dropped to $0 in 2020.

Nobody welcomes a tax increase, but for a very small investment ($14.30 per $100,000 of proper...